United Way of the Plains sets $15.4M goal for 2013 campaign

United Way of the Plains hopes to raise $15.4 million to help support local nonprofit organizations next year. The organization announced its 2013 fundraising campaign goal during a breakfast kickoff Thursday at Century II.

That total is less than the more than the $15.6 million the United Way raised last year. United Way President Pat Hanrahan says the organization's goal is lower this year to take into account Boeing's continued ramp-down in Wichita as well as recent layoffs in the area.

In the coming weeks, businesses and individuals will be making their campaign pledges for the next year.

During the event, the results of this summer’s Pacesetter campaign were announced. Fourteen organizations raised $376,489. The United Way says that represents a 13 percent increase over what those same companies raised last year. Their individual results:

Also on Thursday, the United Way launched its student fundraising campaign, in which students from schools in Sedgwick, Butler and Sumner counties work to raise money for the organization, totals that will be put toward the $15.4 million goal.

That effort is separate from payroll deductions that teachers and school district employees could sign up for.

It is up to the individual schools to set goals for student fundraising campaigns.